More on authors missing out on Google marketing

Yesterday I argued that authors overreacted to Google's plan to scan and make searchable the entire book collections of five major libraries. Today, more on that topic.

Jeff Jarvis tells us Tom Evslin is working on a novel. Which he will first publish online—entirely. Tom gets it. He’s going to solicit comments and feedback, and then release an updated version online before the treeware version comes out in hardcover next year.

Seth Godin also follows this general line of thinking in a post on how to publish a book (though he is discussing non-fiction only). Give first. Open your work up so audiences can sample it beforehand, and stronger sales will follow--if your work is good, that is. (Seth's words in italics):

Then, put your idea into a format where it will spread fast. That could be an ebook (a free one) or a pamphlet (a cheap one--the Joy of Jello sold millions and millions of copies at a dollar or less).

Then, if your idea catches on, you can sell the souvenir edition. The book. The thing people keep on their shelf or lend out or get from the library. Books are wonderful (I own too many!) but they're not necessarily the best vessel for spreading your idea.

What better way to spread the ideas in your book to the exact people who will be most receptive to them than through Google searches?

As an aside, there's a good discussion on this topic at Bob Bly's blog.